St. Louis Observer facts for kids
The St. Louis Observer was an important newspaper in the 1830s. It was started by a minister named Elijah Parish Lovejoy in St. Louis, Missouri. This newspaper was known for supporting abolitionism, which was a movement to end slavery in the United States.
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What Was the St. Louis Observer?
The St. Louis Observer was a newspaper that shared news and opinions. It was created in 1834. Its main goal was to speak out against slavery. This made it a very important voice for the abolitionist movement in the Midwest.
Who Was Elijah Lovejoy?
Elijah Parish Lovejoy was a Congregationalist minister from New England. He believed strongly that slavery was wrong. He used the newspaper to share his views and encourage others to join the fight against slavery. He was a brave person who stood up for what he believed in.
Why Was the Newspaper Attacked?
Because the St. Louis Observer spoke out against slavery, it faced a lot of anger. People who supported slavery did not like the newspaper's message. Its printing press, which was the machine used to print the newspaper, was attacked and destroyed three times by angry mobs. These attacks showed how strong feelings were about slavery at that time.
Moving to Alton, Illinois
After the third attack on the printing press, it became too dangerous to print the newspaper in St. Louis. So, Elijah Lovejoy moved the newspaper across the Mississippi River to Alton, Illinois. In Alton, the newspaper was renamed the Alton Observer. This move allowed the newspaper to continue its work against slavery.
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